Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion before us today.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Restrictions) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2021 ensure travellers entering Wales from overseas countries and territories must isolate for 10 days, and provide passenger information. Amendments to those regulations are usually made under the negative procedure; because these regulations have amended both the international travel restrictions and the separate and more general Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020, they are, in this instance, subject to the affirmative procedure.

Members will be aware of a new variant of COVID-19 that was recently detected in South Africa. This is different to the UK variant, but may share similar properties in terms of higher transmissibility. Since 24 December, all travellers arriving into Wales from South Africa are therefore required to isolate, and will only be able to leave isolation in very limited circumstances, and there are no sectoral exemptions. Although most visitors from South Africa arrive via England, these further restrictions mean passenger planes and ships directly from South Africa, including accompanied freight, are no longer able to land or dock at Welsh ports. In line with the approach being taken by other Governments across the UK, including in England, these regulations also provide equivalent measures to other countries within Africa, including the Seychelles and Mauritius. All travellers arriving into Wales, who have been in these countries in the previous 10 days, will be required to isolate for 10 days, and will only be able to leave isolation, again, in very limited circumstances. These tighter restrictions also mean isolating requirements will apply to all members of their household. 

Further to these changes, over the weekend, we have suspended all travel corridors. This, again, is in line with similar action being taken in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Those wishing to travel to Wales will now need to provide a negative test before travelling, and quarantine for 10 days. The additional restrictions on travel from certain countries, such as those dealt with by the regulations being debated today, will continue to apply. I ask Members to support these regulations, which, I believe, are an essential part of helping to keep Wales safe. Thank you.